WEBSTER — The latest chapter of the paddleboat Indian Princess saga was an echo of the last.

A Conservation Commission public hearing held Monday in the Bartlett High School auditorium began with Chairman Bennett Smith III declaring: "It will be necessary to hold another meeting before any decisions are made. We have just received materials from the Indian Ranch environmental consultants and they will be reviewed."

Chris Roberts, owner of the Indian Ranch music venue, is seeking commission approval to build a dock and mooring area in Webster Lake for his paddleboat, on which he hopes to offer lake cruises. The commission enforces wetlands rules regarding docks and moorings on Webster Lake.

After Lester Smith Jr., an environmental consultant for Mr. Roberts, described the environmental impact of the changes needed to dock the paddleboat, lakeshore residents wary of the proposal asked about issues other than the environmental ones — how often the boat would sound its horns, how close the vessel would be to their home shorelines, and how often boat inspections would occur and who would make the inspections.

Mr. Smith and Richard Cazeault, an engineering consultant for Mr. Roberts, answered that horns would sound only in emergencies, and that the boat would stay at least six to 10 feet from the shoreline during its cruises.

They said Coast Guard regulations are not mandated on an inland lake, so no determination had been made about inspections. Mr. Roberts said he would be open to residents' requests in these matters.

Richard Canavan, environmental consultant to the Conservation Commission, steered the meeting back to enforcement of the Wetlands Protection Act and the effects the boat would have on the environment.

He said that even a small adjustment to the Indian Ranch flood plain would be of great consequence, and disputed Mr. Smith's likening the low depth of the boat's paddlewheels to that of an outboard motor. Mr. Canavan said the greater width of the paddlewheels would cause more deep water turbulence than outboard motors and would have more effect on underwater growth.

Commission Chairman Bennett Smith agreed to continue the hearing, which had been continued to Monday night from Sept. 23, until 6 p.m. Nov. 18.